4-H Drama & Theater Project

group of male 4-H youth performing a sketch

Do you like to act? Take part in the school play? Read books? Do book reports? The world of drama and theater impacts you every day. By participating in the 4-H Drama and Theater project, you will explore the exciting world of acting, and learn more about yourself and others.

Ages and Stages of Youth Development

Beginners

Beginners should be able to express an idea through pantomime and participate in group storytelling. They should also be able to create a character sketch. Youth should also be able to deliver a monologue.

Juniors

Juniors should be able to create a story through pantomime. They can use tone to impact the listener and be able to reverse roles. Youth should also be able to write a script and learn about costume design and stage positions.

Seniors

Seniors should be able to pantomime a story being told. They should also be able to improvise a scene based on resolving a conflict. Youth should be able to revise a scene in a play and direct scenes in different genres.

4-H Programming Priorities

Leadership

Youth can direct scenes and make decisions that will affect a theatrical performance, whether these choices are made as a director, stagehand, or costume designer.

Health & Wellness

Youth learn to think critically and develop social skills to cope with many different life situations. They can learn to see one proposed outcome of that situation.

Science

Youth see how lighting and set design will play into the finished project. They can learn the science of special effects and their safe implementation.

Agriculture

A story idea can have an agricultural setting or be used to promote the field of agriculture.

Get Involved

two green conversation bubbles

Youth Voice

  • Express yourself through movement, voice, speech, and characterization
  • Create and present a play
  • Design costumes and stage sets
3 green outlines of hands

Community Service

  • Organize and perform a play for a nursing home
  • Read books or do puppet shows for children at a local library
green puzzle pieces

Career Connections

  • Actor/actress
  • Director
  • Lighting supervisor
  • Costume designer
  • Set layout
  • Cameraman

Exhibit Ideas

  • Portfolio of acting activities completed during the current year
  • Illustration of a character created by the exhibitor
  • Display illustrating a picture story developed by the exhibitor

Learning Resources

Related Topics

4-H Projects, 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Project

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